trifling
/ˈtɹaɪfliŋ/
Group 9Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Unimportant or trivial GRE
Example in Context
What appeared to be a trifling accounting discrepancy proved to be the thread that unraveled a massive securities fraud.
Synonyms
minortrivialpetty
Etymology
Originally referring to something insignificant, highlighting its unimportance.
- trifle (Middle English) — something of little value
Memory Aid
🪂Sounds like “try flying”
When I try flying with a paper airplane, it’s just TRIFLING and goes nowhere!
Visual Association
🪙A tiny coin rolling under a couch, easily overlooked and deemed unimportant.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “trifling” mean on the GRE?
trifling (adjective) means “Unimportant or trivial”. What appeared to be a trifling accounting discrepancy proved to be the thread that unraveled a massive securities fraud.
How to remember “trifling” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “trifling” sounds like “try flying”. When I try flying with a paper airplane, it’s just TRIFLING and goes nowhere!
What are synonyms for “trifling”?
Common synonyms: minor, trivial, petty.